Leeds United: Wootton will keep options open

Leon Wobschall

LEEDS UNITED defender Scott Wootton says he is keeping his options open after ending his frustrating exile from the Whites’ first team by joining Yorkshire neighbours Rotherham United on loan.

The 23-year-old signed for the Millers ahead of last Thursday’s emergency loan window deadline and will stay at the New York Stadium until the first week of January.

The task for the former Manchester United centre-half is to get his career back on track, after finding himself jettisoned behind Jason Pearce, Liam Cooper and Giuseppe Bellusci in the pecking order at Elland Road.

Wootton, who joined United for an undisclosed six-figure fee in August 2013, penning a three-year deal, has found opportunities tough to come by this term at Leeds.

The Birkenhead-born player has started just four matches for the Whites in 2014-15, including two in the Capital One Cup, with his last appearance coming in the 1-0 home victory over Bolton Wanderers on August 30.

Wootton’s debut game for the Millers in Saturday’s 1-1 home draw with Blackpool was his first appearance at Championship level since then and he is relishing the chance to play again after what he admits to being a ‘crazy time’ and personally frustrating spell at Elland Road.

He said: “It’s been a quite crazy time at Elland Road.

I think I’ve played only four games there this season, so obviously that’s been very frustrating.

“There have been a lot of changes. I’m just happy to be here and be a Rotherham player at the minute. I’m not going to look further down the line.

“I’m just going to take each day and each game as it comes, train hard, try to keep my place in the team and focus on it game by game.